Although this loss is usually associated with the elderly, people of all ages can suffer from the disease. In fact, a person can be born with this loss, which affects their development if not diagnosed and treated as early as possible. It can be short or long term and it can be treated successfully medically or not.
In most cases, patients who have experienced this loss are prescribed hearing aids to help restore their hearing and generally provide a better quality of life. This article covers the basics of hearing, including what to look for, the types of this loss, and the treatment options available.
Here are some indications of this loss. Children who experience this loss may have delayed speech and language development. They may not respond when called and may not be able to follow instructions properly. Your speech can be blurry and difficult to understand. When a child watches TV or listens to music with this loss, the volume is higher than usual. If these symptoms are found in children of all ages, it is a good idea to see the child for a thorough examination by an audiologist.
If an adult experiences this loss, they are unlikely to have delays in speech or unclear language. The person can start asking more questions and even asking for clarification. Adults with this loss may have difficulty hearing the TV or doorbell and may have turned on the TV or radio all the time.
A person with this loss may not be able to laugh at the jokes because they have missed much of the story and may have to watch people as they speak to get their message out. In the worst case, people suffering from this loss may start to avoid groups of people or social institutions to avoid embarrassment. An adult with these symptoms should see an audiologist to assess and discuss treatment options.
Part of an assessment is determining the cause and type of hearing loss a patient is experiencing. Hearing problems are divided into levels based on the associated part of the ear on which the problem occurs. The specialist identifies the exact area of damage and can then create an action plan for rapid improvement. Conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot be transmitted properly from the outer ear to the inner ear and middle ear. Usually, something can block the ear canal and cause conductive hearing loss, which makes treatment easier.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear is damaged. It is considered a permanent loss as there is currently no medical treatment to resolve the problem. Unilateral hearing loss is a loss that occurs only in one ear. When children suffer from one-sided deafness, they may have difficulty with academics, social situations, and their development. In some cases, it is difficult to determine what is causing unilateral hearing loss.
Treatment options can be set once an audiologist can determine the type of hearing loss that has occurred. If it’s a conductive hearing loss, treatment will likely be easy, although a doctor will need to do it. For example, a block of wax can have a big impact on hearing and should be removed by a healthcare professional.
Hearing aids are designed to fit in or just behind the ear. They increase the sound through a speaker so that the ear can process it more easily. Hearing implants, called “cochlear” implants, can be surgically implanted and can significantly help a person who is hard of hearing. This is a surgical procedure in which the damaged parts of the ear are removed and those damaged parts are replaced with healthy tissue that helps the hearing impaired person to hear again.